Albert & Josephine Vigil

Albert & Josephine Vigil worked together on their pottery. Josephine made the pottery and Albert painted the designs. Albert Vigil (1927-2009) was a nephew of Maria Martinez. He was also the son of noted San Ildefonso painter Romando Vigil, one of the members of the San Ildefonso School of watercolor artists and also know for his work with Walt Disney Studios. Josephine Cordova Vigil (1927-2001) was from Taos Pueblo and she moved to San Ildefonso when she married Albert. Josephine learned pottery making by watching her aunts-in-law Maria Martinez, and her sister Clara Montoya, who considered San Ildefonso Pottery Matriarchs. Maria Martinez taught her how to coil shape the clay and Clara Montoya taught her how to polish the pottery before it was designed or painted. They began making pottery in 1945. Josephine and Albert used the traditional methods of hand-coil, shaping, polishing and traditionally open fired pottery.

Albert and Josephine Vigil worked together on their pottery. Albert Vigil (1927-2009) was the son of painter Romando Vigil, one of the members of the San Ildefonso School of watercolor artists. He as also a nephew of Maria Martinez. His wife was Josephine Cordova Vigil (1927-2001) from Taos Pueblo. She moved to San Ildefonso when she married Albert. Josephine learned pottery making by watching her aunts-in-law Maria Martinez and Clara Montoya. Maria taught her how to shape the clay and Clara taught her how to polish. They began making pottery in 1945. This This is a larger piece of their pottery with a wide shoulder and an elongated neck. The jar is painted with a feather pattern which extends down from the neck to the shoulder. It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Albert + Josephine”. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair